With the onslaught of the pandemic, healthcare has become extremely important. It’s imperative that everyone avails of one. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There are folks out there who are dealing with simultaneous problems and just don’t have the means for healthcare.
In an interview with several Americans, many are dealing with several issues such as illness and medical debt. They get sick and find themselves in need of help. It happens time and again for each one of them, and they find themselves stuck in an unhealthy pattern of needing money and getting sick.
This combination of health issues and medical debt can be toxic. Many find themselves at a crux and no longer know what to do. Financial uncertainty leads to even further problems on their health, which means that their path to recovery is a rough one. The stress created wreaks further havoc on their wellbeing, impeding their recovery.
People in the US have struggled with the high cost required by healthcare. A September Debt.com study found that 56 percent of them owe much of their income to unpaid medical. These financial issues are difficult to recover from. That’s because the situation becomes dire, especially when it comes to healthcare. The worst part is that the circumstances are never just easy. It’s never as simple as it seems when it comes to fully recovering your financial health.
Hence, researchers have decided to put their heads together in order to further understand tumultuous relationships between health and financial issues better. The experts from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC have collaborated with others from academic institutions. They conducted extensive interviews with a small group of people from different income levels. Their study and findings have been published in the journal Health Communication.
Dr. Lynsey Romo, the first author of the research, says, “You can have a good job, good insurance, do everything ‘right’ and still find yourself struggling due to the nature of the healthcare system in the U.S.”
There is enough statistical evidence available to prove that there are many who struggle with both medical debt and health problems. However, this is a different study. It is a qualitative one so that readers gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the very real problem.
Romo states her beliefs by saying, “Qualitative studies give us a fuller understanding of what those numbers mean in real-world terms. What effect does this combination of financial and health uncertainty have on people? And how do they deal with it?”
The Problems in Real Life
In order to truly understand the ongoing healthcare problems, Dr. Romo and her colleagues interviewed 17 white Americans from 11 states during the summer and fall of 2018. The questions asked went deeper than other studies and more importantly, it did not address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. All but three of the participants identified themselves as female. They also made sure that they stayed within the set age range: 20 to 62 years old. The folks also represented different education levels, anywhere from high school to doctorate degrees. In terms of marital status, nine of the 17 had never been married, two were married, five separated or divorced, and one widowed.
Those interviewed had experienced medical debt. It ranged anywhere from less than $10,000 to more than $150,000. These debts came from a variety of issues such as cancer, stroke, brain tumors, dental issues, mental health services, blood clots, cystic fibrosis, and gender transition-related procedures.
During the in-depth interview, Dr. Romo notes that the story they shared “drives home that uncertainty about money and uncertainty about health go hand in hand.” She further states, “Financial limitations created significant health challenges — such as an inability to afford prescription medications. And health problems created significant expenses leading to serious financial challenges.”
Compounded Effects and Impact of Health and Debt
Interviewees gave different answers, but all these shared one sentiment, and that they felt overwhelmed. One shared, “It gets to the point where the financial uncertainty just weighs against you. Like, am I worth doing this procedure? I’ll never make this much money. I’m never going to be able to pay this off.”
The uncertainty the participants felt led to depression and other mental health issues for many of them. They described how it all undermined their health. They were looking for ways to save costs and ended up extremely anxious. Such cost-saving measures included going without ample food to pay for prescriptions, taking reduced medications than prescribed to stretch out the meds, and having to forgo some prescribed meds altogether. In fact, many of them were forced to skip medical appointments because they felt as if it was something they couldn’t afford.
Interviewees also shared some positives from their experience. Dr. Romo explains how their efforts led to better communication. “Seeking information and emotional support from your social network is inherently about communication. Seeking financial help or help in getting to medical appointments is about communication,” Romo explains.
“Advocating for yourself or others in the context of medical care is all about communication. So being able to share information effectively is incredibly important,” Romo further notes.
The data gathered showed how the combination of medical debt and serious health issues is a one-two punch. Everything compounds in time until it takes a significant toll on their wellbeing. Dr. Romo says, “Our study suggests that the effect is profound. The pandemic and related expenses may make it worse. And this is something we need to be looking at.”
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